These solidsterling silver snake vertebrae earrings are each made from six real prairie rattlesnake vertebrae. After fusing the bones together and adding a tiny bail on top I set about making a mold of the very fragile master which completely disintegrated when I removed it from the finished mold. Some pieces of the bones had to be removed with tweezers as they were paper thin. Although the completely 3D earrings look exceptionally delicate. Nickel free stainless steel fish hooks are used so no concerns for those afflicted with allergies.